Objective To analyze the proportions of interhospital and intrahospital consultation cases of chief residents in the Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism in West China Hospital of Sichuan University, and summarize the distribution characteristics of endocrine and metabolic diseases in other specialized departments, in order to promote the routine work optimization and the cultivation of specialists in endocrinology and metabolism. Methods A total of 1 299 cases were completed by the chief residents in the Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism between July 2012 and June 2013. Distribution of departments, composition and distribution of consultation cases were analyzed retrospectively. The characteristics of endocrine and metabolic diseases were summarized, and the difference of endocrine and metabolic consultation demand was compared among different departments . Results Among the 1 299 consultation patients, there were 612 males (47.11%) and 687 females (52.89%) aged between 14 and 96 years averaging at 56.3. There were 747 (57.51%) interhospital consultation cases and 552 (42.49%) intrahospital consultation cases. The most common reason for emergency consultation was stress hyperglycemia in diabetic patients after surgery or trauma, followed by thyroid diseases and electrolyte disturbances. Most consultation applications were from the Emergency Department, and the consultation purpose was mainly blood glucose control. The main consultation purpose of surgical and gynecologic departments was perioperative assessment and treatment adjustment in patients combined with endocrine diseases such as diabetes and thyroid diseases. Meanwhile,the purpose of obstetric consultation was mainly treatment for patients with hyperthyroidism complicated with pregnancy, gestational diabetes treatment and perioperative blood glucose control. Conclusions Clinical consultation work is challenging, which also provides an excellent chance for chief residents to study and review professional knowledge and accumulate clinical experiences. Chief residents should have the knowledge of the proportions and distribution of consultation cases in order to optimize daily work. They should also summarize consultation experiences so as to promote their knowledge of diagnosis and treatment.